What is Eurocontrol? What does this word
stand for and what is the purpose? Eurocontrol is about harmonizing of
the European skies and airspace, it is to achieve the coveted airspace
consoldation in the continent of Europe. Basically it is the European
Agency for the safety of air navigation founded by
Belgium, France, Germany, Luxemburg, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom
in the 1960s as a joint civil-military body to allow for a coordinated
and harmonized environment to usher in a fast developing and new
futuristic transport technology. Today it has 35 member states in
Europe. The motto remains the same. To provide a cost-efficient pan Air
Traffic Management System which is safe, reliable and efficient to cater
to the tremendous growth of air traffic.
In the year of 1997 there was a revision
of the Eurocontrol in the the Eurocontrol Convention and thereafter two
new decision making bodies were established. The Eurocontrol Commission
which holds responsibility for formulating the general policy of the
agency and the Provisional Council which is responsible for the
implementation of the organization's policies.
The head quarters of Eurocontrol is in
Brussels. Different directorates of the organization like Human
resources, Finance, General Secretariat, Central European Air Traffic
Services, ATM strategies and ATM programs are established here. The
Institute of Air Navigation Services is located in Luxemburg. The
Maastricht Upper Area Control Centre is located in the Netherlands.
The concept took off in the 1960s and was
founded in 1972.When founded it was way ahead of its time. Political
pressures and sovereignty issues led to rationalization of original
concept. But today it definitely demonstrates how 20 different nations
are able to work side by side under one roof. The Maastricht UAC (Upper
Area Control Centre) is really very impressive because almost every
European Nation is represented here. This creates a multi cultural growth
oriented atmosphere wherein though the operating language is English
,one can listen to different European languages while walking from one
sector to another.
Among the recent achievements, programs
like 8.33KHz channel spacing and European RVSM Implementation are worth
mentioning.
We can definitely take an inspiration from
the European Endeavor and try a similar one in our sub-continent among
the SAARC countries .Tomorrow we may extend and have a one harmonized
AIR TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS for the continent of Asia. Let us dream.
Let us do. The future beckons .The growth of air traffic requires cost
effective and efficient solutions. LET US.